| cohesive force | <physics> An intermolecular force between like molecules, important in the phenomenon of surface tension. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| component of force | One of the factors from which a resultant force may be compounded or into which it may be resolved, one of the vectors into which a force may be resolved. (05 Mar 2000) |
| coriolis force | The apparent deflection (coriolis acceleration) of a body in motion with respect to the earth, as seen by an observer on the earth, attributed to a fictitious force (coriolis force) but actually caused by the rotation of the earth. In a medical context it refers to the physiological effects (nausea, vertigo, dizziness, etc.) felt by a person moving radially in a rotating system, as a rotating space station. (12 Dec 1998) |
| coulomb's force | <radiobiology> See Coulomb's Law. Synonym: electrostatic force. (09 Oct 1997) |
| pound force | (sometimes abbreviated lb(f)) A force which will accelerate one pound mass at a rate of 32.2 ft/second(2). (05 Dec 1998) |
| proton-motive force | Energy that is generated by the transfer of protons or electrons across an energy-transducing membrane and that can be used for chemical, osmotic, or mechanical work. Proton-motive force can be generated by a variety of phenomena including the operation of an electron transport chain, illumination of a purple membrane, and the hydrolysis of ATP by a proton atpase. (12 Dec 1998) |
| psychic force | In psychoanalysis, a hypothetical mental force, analogous to the physical concept of energy, which enables and vitalises an individual's psychological activity. See: libido. Synonym: psychic force. (05 Mar 2000) |
| dispersion force | Forces of attraction between atoms or nonpolar molecules that result from the formation of induced dipoles. Sometimes referred to as London dispersion forces. Important in the DLVO theory of colloid flocculation and thus in theories of cell adhesion. (18 Nov 1997) |
| dynamic force | <radiobiology> Typically defined as the ability to do work. Power is the rate at which work is done, or the rate at which energy is changed. Work characterises the degree to which the properties of a substance are transformed. Energy exists in many forms, which can be converted from one to another in various ways. Examples include: gravitational energy, electrical energy, magnetic and electric field energy, atomic binding energy (a form of electrical energy really), nuclear binding energy, chemical energy (another form of electrical energy), in addition to these forms of potential energy there are also kinetic energy (energy due to motion), and thermal energy (heat, a form of kinetic energy where the motion is due to thermal vibrations/motions), and so on. (09 Oct 1997) |
| occlusal force | The result of muscular force applied on opposing teeth. (05 Mar 2000) |
| electrodynamic force | London Van der Waals forces: See: DLVO theory. (18 Nov 1997) |
| electromagnetic force | <physics> One of the fundamental forces of interaction which influences charged entities. In quantum field theory, the electromagnetic force is mediated by particles of exchange called (virtual) photons. Photons are massless and travel at the speed of light c. The electromagnetic force obeys an inverse square law, which makes sense because it is mediated by particles that have an infinite lifetime (special-relativistically, time stops in a frame moving at c when observed from a non-moving frame). (05 Jan 1998) |
| electromotive force | The force (measured in volts) that causes the flow of electricity from one point to another. (05 Mar 2000) |
| electrostatic force | <radiobiology> Like charges in close proximity produce forces of repulsion between them. Consequently if two surfaces bear appreciable and approximately equal densities of charged groups on their surfaces appreciable forces of repulsion may occur between them. The range of these forces is determined in the main by the ionic strength of the intervening medium, forces being of minimal range at high ionic strength. The forces are effective over approximately twice the double layer thickness. See: DLVO theory. (18 Nov 1997) |
| unit of force | CGS system: dyne, FPS system: poundal, MKS system: newton,SI: newton. (05 Mar 2000) |